Analyzing the determinant variables on the difficulty of transfer power of rural and urban property tax from central to regional government in Indonesia

Motivated by rapid development of local autonomy and fiscal decentralization in Indonesia, this study aims to analyze determinant variables that causing the difficulty in the transfer policy of Rural and Urban Property Tax from central to regional governments. This program was designed to mitigate the fiscal disparities and revenue inequality among local authorities, also to increase the local people welfare. To comply with Government Law Number 28/2010 on Regional Tax and Levy, government transfers the right and authority of Rural and Urban Property Tax from central into regional government since 1 January 2011. By 31 December 2012, only 18 regional authorities have undergone the program and the rest seems to be having some difficulties. The study adopted a constructivism approach with qualitative method. The results show some determinant variables that causing the difficulties on this policy: (1) the weakness of bureaucratic attitude adhering to local government; (2) central and regional government are still not on the same page on collecting fee for Rural and Urban Property Tax; (3) the unclear formulation on fee collection of Rural and Urban Property Tax; (4) the lack of competency in the local government and short of experiences in Rural and Urban Property Tax collection.